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Victorian Naval Forces Muster

for the Colony of Victoria. (muster range 1853-1910)*

Profile

Last Name:Sutton
First Name:H. P.
Rank:Paymaster
Birth Date:
Branch:Victorian Navy

H. P. Sutton

Paymaster


H. P. SUTTON, Secretary to the Williamstown Racing Club, was born in the year 1837 at Poplar, near London, and arrived here two years afterwards with his father, who, settling at Williamstown, was the first pilot appointed in Victoria. Apprenticed to Walter Powell and Co., the well-known ironmongers, the young man quitted that business when the earliest rush to the gold- fields took place, and was one of the first gold - seekers on the Bendigo field. He entered the Government service, and was presently promoted to the position of paymaster in the naval forces of Victoria. This office he held for twelve years, and then became one of the staff of the newly-created Harbour Trust. He quitted this post in 1892, in order to undertake the secretaryship of the Williamstown Racing Club, in the prosperity of which he had taken a warm interest for five and twenty years. When he assumed the reins of management, the racing was chiefly confined to horses owned by persons residing in the district, but in the year following he issued a programme of events open to all horses, and this met with such general approval that from that time forward the club began to progress and prosper steadily, so that whereas under the former state of things not more than £120 were distributed as prizes at one annual meeting, eight or nine are now held in the year, and the stakes amount to between £4,000 and £5,000. So popular, indeed, has this club become that at the last Cup meeting the stakes run for reached the respectable sum of £2,000. Upwards of £25,000 have been expended upon improvements by the club, and these include a commodious grandstand, capable of seating 3,500 spectators.

Thanks Johnstone, O'Shannessy and Co. Mtlb.

Mr. H. P. Sutton. also to the prudent management of the committee and Mr. Sutton, the club is entirely free from debt. It numbers 250 members, among whom are to be found some of the most prominent patrons of the turf. The racecourse is admittedly one of the prettiest of the kind in the suburbs of Melbourne ; and ready access to it is obtained by railway from Spencer Street to Williamstown North, and thence by a special line to the course direct. The approach to the grand-stand is through a picturesque avenue of shrubs and flowers, and in front of that struc- ture there is a spacious green lawn, extending as far as the weighing yanj. All the arrangements, appliances, and appurtenances of the course are thoroughly up to date. There is a substantially - built weighing-room, together with com- mittee, jockey, and dressing rooms, all under one roof ; and from the centre rises a lofty tower, upon the four sides of which the numbers of the starting horses are exhibited so prominently as to be visible and legible in every part of the course ; the numbers of the winning horses being likewise displayed directly the decisions of the judges have been made known. Underneath the grand- stand is a very large area of luncheon room and two bars, con- veniently situated for visitors. An extensive saddling paddock provides ample accommodation for the largest field of horses assembling on the Williamstown racecourse, the situation of which, so near the Bay, and in sight of the shipping passing in and out of the harbour, is a specially attractive one ; and, as two of the meetings are held upon such popular holidays as Easter Monday and the 9 th of November, they naturally attract crowds of visitors, the scene upon these occasions resembling a gigantic picnic. The course is about one mile and a quarter round, with a good straight run home, and there is likewise a fine steeplechase course ; while visitors to the flat have the gratification of obtaining an uninter- rupted view of each event from start to finish. The land covered by the course and reserve is held by the club under a Crown grant, as trustees. During the period it has been in existence the club has bene- fited by the liberality of many of its members, and among those especial mention must be made of Mr. C. F. Orr, who might almost be regarded as its permanent chairman. Mr. Sutton is assisted in his duties by his son, Mr. H. T. Sutton, the assistant sec- retary of the club. He has taken an active interest in the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows, in which he has filled the chair as Provincial Grand Master of the Port Phillip district, and was one of the chief promoters of the Friendly Societies' Dispensary at Williamstown, in which place he has been a resident for forty years.

The Cyclopedia. Of Victoria, Edited By James Smith, 1904


Mentioned in the 1874 Victorian Government Gazette index.


 

Described as an officer of HMCS Victoria with the rank of Clerk in Charge.

The Argus, 20 November 1867


* 1853 is given as the commencement date for the Victorian Navy as this is the year that Commander Lockyer (RN) went to Britain to superintend the building of HMCS Victoria.
Although the Victorian Navy ended in 1901 the career of Cerbeus etc continued. In 1910 the new ships started arriving & manning levels increased.

Information & photographs of men who served in the Victorian Naval Forces is eagerly sought. Please contact the webmaster.
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